The concept of “retirement” is so tightly wrapped up with money and financial worries that more than one respondent I’ve talked to has said (and I quote), “I want to die before my money runs out.” Lets read that again…”I want to die before my money runs out.” Yep…and you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Yeah, I get that.”
And is it any wonder that people think this? We daily hear about stories of older folks being sent to nursing homes because they couldn’t pay the taxes on their homes, or medical bankruptcy sending retirees scrambling for options. Or, most recently, financial retirement portfolios simpling “poofing” into thin air. And when one thinks about themselves as being too old to work or be hired, well…yep, it’s scary. And maybe dying before the money runs out isn’t such a bad idea.
But I disagree. I think there are other options; I’ve seen them during my many interviews with retired folks nationwide. Specifically, I want to tell you about Sally, a 92-year-old woman living in the home in which she and her husband raised their family. They built the small house about 60 years ago (you heard me…sixty years ago) and added a room onto it as their family grew. It’s modest, cute, and very clean.
Sally lives in this house by herself–her son lives close by and visits her almost every day. She lives modestly, takes a bus to the senior center every day so she can “help older folks who can’t help themselves,” and even gets a little bit of salary doing so. Yep, at 92 she’s helping seniors who can’t get around as well as she can. She goes to church, gardens, and keeps an immaculate home.
No, things aren’t the best financially for Sally. She eats a modest diet of greens and corn bread because she really can’t afford anything else, yet she credits this diet to her good health and wouldn’t want to eat any other way even if she had the money. She keeps the door closed on one bedroom of her home because the roof has caved in; she owns her home but doesn’t even know what a home equity loan is much less how to apply for one to get her roof fixed. Instead Sally is saving “a dollar here and a dollar there” to get the roof fixed.
Yet Sally is happy. She has no money, her house is literally caving in around her, and she only eats the simplest of foods. She doesn’t travel and can’t afford new clothes. Yet she is happy with her life–she is content because she spends time helping others, has a routine that keeps her active and engaged in the community, and enjoys the simple pleasures of being outside pulling weeds or sitting and watching the birds. Sally is not someone who would prefer to die before her money runs out because she doesn’t have any.
What Sally does have is perspective. She knows what life is about, and she knows it’s not about a bank account (I don’t even think Sally has a bank account). She doesn’t worry about economic collapses or falling stocks because her life is so far removed from such worries that such things may as well be happening on another planet. She has insulated herself from the current financial downturn better than someone who made a great deal of money and followed their financial advisors advice regarding the “right” investments.
It’s a tough call for sure. Sally’s life isn’t easy, but the woman is happy. And she’s cute as can be with the most wonderful attitude. I want to be like her when I’m 92…and I’d be happy to live like Sally long after my money runs out.
Great story! I watched active gardening neighbors move to a retirement community because he couldn’t/wouldn’t accept the help all around them…then be miserable separated from their garden.
I think that’s when I started work on my own retirement plan…to arrive at my elder years without any debts (whether or not I have savings doesn’t bother me); with a small, accessible, manageable, energy-efficient house built to weather the years with little on-going maintenance; with a solid farm business that someone else can manage and provide me with food, as well as a share of the income or cash rent; a LOT of friends, esp. younger than myself; and a healthy relationship with my daughter and grandchildren that will make caregiving easier for them. And, most important, faith in a Power Greater than myself–faith that I will be ok no matter what, and any problems that arise can be solved at the time.
My parents have done essentially the same, though they’ve had a lot more resources and substituted a nice portfolio for the active business. I’m looking forward to being their caregiver when that time comes, and planning my life accordingly so that I’ll have the freedom to be there as needed.
Those who put their faith in money are making the shaky assumption that it will always have value. If there is a shortage of housing/food/water/etc., money won’t be worth anything. We can’t plan that stuff at all. So I’m investing what I have the most of–time and energy–in the things I’ll need no matter what happens.
Sally’s story renews my work towards putting on a steel roof sooner rather than later!